Grammar Schools in Liverpool
The Blue Coat School is Liverpool's only selective state school, and one of very few in the country still using CEM. Its assessment is taken online, on site at the school, in two phases.
Where the official practice material is
CEM, now branded Cambridge Insight
CEM was retired and rebranded under Cambridge. We could not confirm a current official page for parents in September 2026, so the school's own admissions page is the source to trust here rather than the many third-party sites still selling CEM practice papers.
What families in Liverpool need to know
- Phase 1 covers reading, spelling, general maths, mental arithmetic and developed ability. Phase 2 covers verbal, numerical and non-verbal ability.
- CEM moved to online-only delivery in 2023, which is why almost all other state grammar schools left it. Blue Coat could stay because it tests candidates on its own computers on site.
- CEM rebranded as Cambridge Insight in April 2025, with the selection exam renamed Cambridge Select Insight. The school's own documents still say CEM.
The 1 grammar school in Liverpool
Admissions details change year to year. Always confirm dates and criteria on the school's own admissions page before applying.
| School | Town | Admits |
|---|---|---|
| The Blue Coat School | Liverpool | Mixed |
Each name links to that school's own admissions page. Every school here sits the CEM (Cambridge Insight) test.
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